Botany Field Technician – seasonal

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Position Title:

Botany Field Technician - Native Plant Materials Collection (Rocky Mountain Region)

Position Summary:

Colorado State University's Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is seeking a Botany Technician to support the collection of native plant materials in a U.S. Forest Service (USFS) project.

This role will involve gathering native seeds and plants to contribute to the development of the USFS Native Plant Materials Program in the Rocky Mountain Region. Native plant materials are critical in restoring lands after disturbances, creating long-term soil stability, enhancing wildlife habitats, and building resilient ecosystems.

This is a very hands-on role and includes assisting with planning, coordinating, scouting, collecting, delivering plant materials, and managing data. Fieldwork will take place in USFS forests and grasslands across the Rocky Mountain Region (Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas).

This position also involves camping in remote areas, spending full days in the field, and participating in week-long field trips. Activities include driving and hiking to field sites, collecting vegetation data, completing field forms, and collaborating with USFS project partners. While previous fieldwork experience, especially in the Rocky Mountains and/or Great Plains habitats, is preferred, it is not a requirement.

If you are up for the challenge, consider joining the CNHP Botany/Vegetation Ecology Team and contributing to preserving our natural landscapes!

More information on CNHP opportunities can be found at:

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Organization

Summary:

The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is committed to the conservation and preservation of Colorado's biological diversity. As a part of Colorado State University and a department within the Warner College of Natural Resources, CNHP conducts comprehensive biological inventories, gathers and manages data on rare and imperiled species and ecosystems, and collaborates with various partners to formulate conservation strategies.

CNHP's role is critical in providing scientific information and expertise to guide conservation efforts, ensuring the protection of Colorado's inherited nature, including all species and plant communities. Through comprehensive research, data management, and strategic collaboration, CNHP strives to maintain the integrity of the state's natural environment for current and future generations.

If you're passionate about conservation, diversity, and making a positive impact, we encourage you to apply. At CNHP, every contribution matters in our mission. We can't wait to hear from you!

Responsibilities/Duties:
Planning
-10%:
Help develop plans for week-long field trips where you will search for native plant populations suitable for seed collection. Planning includes determining locations, timing, and any volunteer/partner guests.

Communication/Coordination - 10%:
Assist the lead botany technician with coordinating location, timing, and partner/volunteer meetings, regarding collecting native plant materials between CNHP, the Colorado Native Plant Society (CoNPS) and USFS staff. Help communicate project results with final reporting.

Field Data and Native Plant Material Collection- 60%:
Using GPS-enabled devices and/or topographic maps, drive to and from field sites, following paved and dirt roads. Hike into plant populations, sometimes on hiking trails and other times going off-trail through dense vegetation and steep slopes, for long distances in various temperatures and weather conditions. Following a protocol, determine if a native plant population is suitable for seed collection by analyzing plant abundance, and the surrounding habitat.

Collect seeds where suitable and deliver them to USFS partners. Skills in plant identification, plant phenology, and attention to detail are highly recommended.

Training-5%:
Attend seed…